Iliyasu et al.., J Biomed & App Sci FUD (2023) 2:1
Keywords: Plasmodium, Schistosoma, Sex, Riverine communities
2024-06-28 DOI: JOBASFUD_2022_1_1_013
Background: Malaria and schistosomiasis continue to be a big burden to infectious disease prevalence in the tropical areas, mainly in sub-Saharan African countries. Materials and Methods: This study determines the prevalence of Plasmodium and Schistosoma infection among riverine communities in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Blood, urine and stool samples from 720 participants were collected and examined. Results: The results showed that 242 (33.6%), 105 (14.6 %), and 47 (6.5%) of the participants were infected with P. falciparum, Scistosoma haematobium, and S. mansoni respectively. It was observed that P. falciparum had the highest prevalence among females 125 (17.4%), followed by S. haematobium81 (11.3%) females, the lowest prevalence was S. mansoni 38 (5.3%) in females. Sex-specific prevalence revealed that the highest prevalence of P. falciparum was among females 48 (20.0%) in Ankpa Wadata Ward, while the least prevalence among males 33 (13.8%) was recorded in North Bank II Ward. The highest prevalence among females 32 (13.3%) of S. haematobium was recorded in North Bank II Ward, while the lowest prevalence was among males, 7 (2.9%) in Ankpa Wadata Ward. The highest prevalence among females 25 (10.4%) of S. mansoni was recorded in North Bank II Ward, while the lowest prevalence among males and females 3 (1.3%) was observed in Ankpa Wadata Ward. Conclusion: There is no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in Prevalence of P. falciparum and S. mansoni. However, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in prevalence of S. haematobium in the different riverine communities. It is important that health education be organized for the concerned communities.